Lawrenceville, one of Pittsburgh's oldest neighborhoods, was founded in 1814 and was home to major industry throughout its early years.  Although the neighborhood suffered during the closure of the steel mills, it is now one of the hottest growth districts in town.  One such growth area in the neighborhood is the Penn Main district, where the business corridors of both Penn Avenue and Main Street serve as connectors between Friendship, Bloomfield, the Strip District, and Downtown.  Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is currently constructing its new 'green' facility on Penn Avenue, making the area desirable to both new businesses and residents.  On Butler Street, many turn-of-the-century buildings have been restored to house storefronts and upper-level office and loft spaces.  The diversity of shopping, dining, and entertainment serves both residents and visitors from around the region.  Vacant lots along Butler Street are also available for new construction.

Lawrenceville is home to the Catalyst Building, a fully restored former schoolhouse (complete with the original chalkboards), that houses a variety of commercial uses. The Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) is redeveloping a former chocolate factory into commercial and light manufacturing space. This building is adjacent to the CMU Robotics Institute and the Ice House Artist Studios. A new 'green' building under construction at the corner of Butler and 36th Streets, the Blackbird Lofts and Artist Studios, offers upper level residential loft space and first floor space for artisan and design studios.

A wide range of restaurants draw visitors from around the city, including Tram's, Taste of India, Coca Coffee Lounge, Sweet Basil/La Filipiniana, and Piccolo Forno.

As part of the Lawrenceville Corporation's 16:62 Design Zone initiative, businesses in Lawrenceville and The Strip District work together to promote the growth of Pittsburgh's design district, a regional destination for customers seeking products and services in interior design. The district is now home to nearly 90 businesses, including Cool Space Locator, architecture and interior design firms, art galleries, artisan studios, home furnishing showrooms, custom furniture and metal-working workshops, and shops featuring regionally made art, fine crafts, and gifts.  In addition to offering unique products, many of these businesses provide great examples of adaptive re-use of buildings.  A former "provision company" is now home to Slaughterhouse Gallery & Studios, and an undertaker's stable is the home of Kingsland Scott Bauer Architects and Riverside Design Group.

Links

Lawrenceville Corporation

16:62 Design Zone

Pop City Article: "Developer Series: Lawrenceville," March 14, 2007

Cool Space Award Winners

The Historic Ice House (2007)

Desmone & Associates (2005)

Engine House No. 25 (2005)

Kelly Custom Furniture & Cabinetry (2005)

Butler Street

Butler Street

Sufak's Round Corner Hotel

Arsenal Bowling Lanes